Director of Nursing – Public Health

About the role

This position oversees public health nursing programs, supervises staff, supports program development, ensures regulatory compliance, and partners with the community to advance public health efforts. The role is based in Ukiah and operates under administrative direction, directing staff and functions including long- and short-range planning, budget and policy development, and staff management. The division delivers comprehensive health, wellness, and prevention programs and services to County citizens.

All managers are required to complete the Manager Academy, consisting of nine courses within two years, during work hours.

Responsibilities

• Manages division staff performing public health nursing services, including evaluating and assessing clients, determining treatment plans, developing and presenting programs, and serving as a consultant/liaison with agencies.
• Carries out supervisory/managerial responsibilities: interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning work, setting deadlines, appraising performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
• Plans, coordinates, assigns, and monitors performance; coaches, counsels, mentors, trains, and advises employees to meet division goals and support career development.
• Interprets, develops, communicates, and monitors ordinances, policies, procedures, and standards; recommends improvements and revises documents as needed.
• Makes presentations to boards and committees regarding division functions.
• Serves as a member or chair of committees, teams, or boards; participates in strategic planning, problem-solving, and goal-setting; collaborates and negotiates with external stakeholders.
• Prepares, evaluates, and monitors annual budgets; oversees grant development and administration.
• Consults with County Counsel and other officials for legal advice.
• Responds to health education requests by developing teaching plans, presenting information, and arranging speakers, space, and equipment.
• Plans long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction for the division.
• Implements short-term or annual goals, objectives, and strategies for efficient project completion.
• Participates in disaster preparedness and response functions, including meetings and practice sessions.
• Oversees the development and administration of programs.
• Represents the division on inquiries from agencies, groups, and media; develops and approves media announcements.
• Directs patient assessments and evaluations; ensures compliance with laws and regulations.
• Monitors current, newly adopted, and proposed legislation; disseminates information to staff.
• Ensures quality standards and regulatory compliance are maintained.
• Maintains professional knowledge through seminars, training, and reading trade publications.
• Prepares complex reports using various software; summarizes material and interprets policies.
• Interacts with high-level individuals internally and in the community to provide information and resolve issues.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Nursing (or equivalent in increasingly responsible nursing and management experience).
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience providing nursing services in a public health care setting, with at least two years in a management or supervisory capacity.
• Combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid State Driver’s License.
• Registered Nurse License.
• Public Health Nurse Certificate.

Knowledge

• Applicable state, federal, and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• Staff and activity administration, directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Modern methods, techniques, and theories of nursing.
• Human resources policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Child abuse and neglect.
• Governmental financial operations, including budgeting and grants administration.
• Conflict resolution.
• Research methods, statistical analysis, and report presentation.
• Computer applications and hardware related to job functions.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Internal departmental policies and procedures.
• County government organization and operations.
• External governmental bodies and agencies related to the area of assignment.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.

Skills

• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing, and evaluating staff work.
• Selecting, motivating, and training staff; providing professional development.
• Mediation techniques to resolve conflicts.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within guidelines.
• Making presentations.
• Analyzing and resolving administrative situations and problems.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines with minimal direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems and interpret policies.
• Using a computer to enter and retrieve data accurately and rapidly.
• Communicating orally with staff, citizens, and other departments courteously.
• Operating and maintaining general office machines (copiers, fax, telephones, etc.).

Mental and Physical Abilities

• Read and interpret documents such as operation and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Delegate authority to staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Perform arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Analyze and resolve problems involving multiple variables.

While performing essential functions, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; ascend and descend stairs; speak and hear; and use color, sound, odor, and shape perception and discrimination.

May infrequently be required to push, pull, move, or lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds below the neck.